Distracted driving involving mobile phones has become a constant concern for Iowa drivers. Most people spot at least a few other motorists with their faces pointed into their laps or their phones in their hands while driving on any given trip in a motor vehicle.
Those distracted drivers may not notice changing traffic conditions in time to react effectively. Additionally, their manual use of a phone increases their reaction time by requiring that they set their phone down and regain their grip on the steering wheel to maneuver.
Iowa recently enacted a new hands-free law that could help reduce the risk of a crash. The new law could also impact claims for compensation made by those injured in collisions caused by distracted drivers.
What is the new law?
Iowa’s new hands-free driving statute effectively prohibits the manual use of a mobile device while driving, even when stopped at a red light. Violations lead to tickets that carry a $100 fine, although the fine can increase to $500 or $1,000 if a distracted driver causes a crash that injures or kills other people. Texting while driving is a primary offense, which means it is enough justification on its own to warrant a traffic stop, even without any other noticeable violations of the law.
The statute allows police officers to issue citations to drivers who cause crashes due to distraction. Proof of that citation could then play a role in a personal injury claim. People seeking compensation from those at fault for a collision typically either need to prove that this conduct occurred or that the driver at fault was negligent.
Paying a citation is essentially an admission of breaking the law. If the driver at fault for the crash pays their ticket or fails to successfully defend against it in traffic court, the proof of their traffic infraction can provide the legal basis necessary for a compensation claim.
Reporting concerns about another driver’s distraction to the police officers responding to an injurious incident can help motorists hold others responsible for breaking the law and causing crashes. A personal injury attorney can potentially help those involved in distracted driving collisions understand their rights and hold others accountable for causing a collision as well.